MPs to Press Minister on St Helier

December 12, 2012 11:16 AM

Local MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow, together with the Leader of Sutton Council, Ruth Dombey, are to meet with the Health Minister Anna Soubry to press her to intervene and require NHS South West London to abandon the flawed review of local health services and keep open St Helier Hospital's A&E department, maternity unit and children's ward.

The Better Service Better Value (BSBV) review, recommended that St Helier Hospital should lose vital health services that would leave local residents having to travel to St George's in Tooting to seek frontline health services.

Tom Brake said, 'The Minister must listen to the concerns of local residents who want services at St Helier protected. The BSBV review is flawed and is based upon community health services that don't exist.'

Paul Burstow said, 'It's time the chaos caused by local NHS bosses coming up with an unrealistic and undeliverable plan comes to an end. That's why we're asking the Minister to take a long hard look at these proposals before it's too late.'

The delegation will also be urging the Health Minister to ensure the release of funding for the next phase of the redevelopment of the hospital and for a commitment to adequate public health funding for Sutton.

Ruth Dombey said, 'the plan to rip out St Helier's vital services is ridiculous. It would have a disastrous impact on healthcare in south west London for generations. We mustn't allow this to happen. We will lay out the real facts for the Health Minister, explain that the proposals do not make financial or medical sense and urge her to put a stop to the consultation which is costing millions.'